Life is just a tale that repeats itself in many different ways. While the story changes, the message always remains the same, and the recurring themes of life are constantly being reinforced into society.
Death of a Salesman features a tale in which a middle-aged American father, Willy Loman, seeks the American Dream as he navigates life alongside his wife, Linda Loman, and kids Biff Loman and Happy Loman. In the book, the family faces the trials and tribulations of the struggle in a ruthless economy, and the main character, Willy, finds himself getting lost in a false reality as he creates the narrative that he is a successful businessman who has highly successful children. In reality, the rapid decline of his business has pushed him to a deeply false perception of his own life. These perceptions serve as a facade for what his life is truly like, and helps him cope with a life that is going down in shambles. Things become more intense as the story progresses, and Willy eventually takes his own life in order to help the family progress.
The story/play really emphasizes the effects of financial struggle on mental health, and highlights how the chase for the American Dream can cause people to lose their grip on what’s actually real. It shows that popularity is not always the key to success and happiness.
The story is a classic through its authenticity and timelessness. A lot of the themes that are conveyed throughout the plot are still valid even in today’s era. The strive for fame and popularity often cause people to lose sight of what’s really important, and create a false impression of what true success and happiness looks like. Many people base their value on their wealth, assets, relationships, and appearance, and they forget that self-worth is created through being real and honest with one’s self. One key quote that I will always remember is someone stating, “Money doesn’t give you happiness…it just gives you money.” Trying to convince yourself that your life is a certain way when it is, in fact, not creates an entire list of dilemmas that can significantly impact your close relationships and psychological state.
So I’d say that the book still holds up pretty well today. I’m not sure if it’s just an American thing, or if everyone in the world wants to put up the front that they’re extremely rich and successful—but I do know one thing for sure—and it’s that the truth always rises to the surface. Getting hit with a big dose of reality always sucks, but it helps encourage an honest and healthy lifestyle that avoids tragedies such as the one seen in Death of a Salesman.
